Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

People visit Hikone Castle in Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Sept. 3, 2026. Japan the same day selected the castle, a national treasure, as a candidate for nomination for the 2028 UNESCO World Heritage list.

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2026, shows a media preview of the first outlet in Japan of the Swedish interior goods brand Granit, set to open in Tokyo's Jiyugaoka area the following day.

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2026, shows a media preview of the first outlet in Japan of the Swedish interior goods brand Granit, set to open in Tokyo's Jiyugaoka area the following day.

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2026, shows a media preview of the first outlet in Japan of the Swedish interior goods brand Granit, set to open in Tokyo's Jiyugaoka area the following day.

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2026, shows a media preview of the first outlet in Japan of the Swedish interior goods brand Granit, set to open in Tokyo's Jiyugaoka area the following day.

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2026, shows a media preview of the first outlet in Japan of the Swedish interior goods brand Granit, set to open in Tokyo's Jiyugaoka area the following day.

G20 innovation ministers meeting in U.S.

G20 innovation ministers meeting in U.S.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks during a two-day meeting of Group of 20 ministers in charge of innovation policy in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Sept. 2, 2026.

G20 innovation ministers meeting in U.S.

G20 innovation ministers meeting in U.S.

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa holds a press conference following a two-day meeting of Group of 20 ministers in charge of innovation policy in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Sept. 2, 2026.

G20 innovation ministers meeting in U.S.

G20 innovation ministers meeting in U.S.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick holds a press conference following a two-day meeting of Group of 20 ministers in charge of innovation policy in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Sept. 2, 2026.

G20 innovation ministers meeting in U.S.

G20 innovation ministers meeting in U.S.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick speaks during a two-day meeting of Group of 20 ministers in charge of innovation policy in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Sept. 2, 2026.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama attends a press conference following the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, on Sept. 1, 2026.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama (L) and Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda attend a press conference following the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, on Sept. 1, 2026.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda holds a press conference following the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, on Sept. 1, 2026.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent holds a press conference following the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, on Sept. 1, 2026.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent holds a press conference following the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, on Sept. 1, 2026.

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Women wearing straw hats dance to the music of stringed instruments in Toyama, central Japan, on Sept. 1, 2026, the first day of the three-day Owara Kaze-no-Bon festival dating back some 300 years.

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Women wearing straw hats dance to the music of stringed instruments in Toyama, central Japan, on Sept. 1, 2026, the first day of the three-day Owara Kaze-no-Bon festival dating back some 300 years.

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Women wearing straw hats dance to the music of stringed instruments in Toyama, central Japan, on Sept. 1, 2026, the first day of the three-day Owara Kaze-no-Bon festival dating back some 300 years.

China: Snake Spotted Swimming in West Lake Amid Summer Heat

In Hangzhou, Zhejiang, a small snake was filmed gliding near the surface of West Lake amid lotus leaves on a sweltering summer day, with the clip's caption jokingly invoking the legendary White Snake spirit unable to bear the heat.

Pacific Islands Forum summit

Pacific Islands Forum summit

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. speaks during the opening ceremony of the four-day summit of the Pacific Islands Forum in Koror, Palau, on Aug. 31, 2026.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi heads to the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, for a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi heads to the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, for a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Government disaster drill

Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a disaster response headquarters meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

CORRECTED: Government disaster drill

CORRECTED: Government disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2026, as part of a government disaster drill simulating a large earthquake striking the country. The day marks the 103rd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

G20 finance meeting in North Carolina

G20 finance meeting in North Carolina

Photo shows the venue of a meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, on Aug. 31, 2026, the first day of their two-day gathering.

G20 finance meeting in North Carolina

G20 finance meeting in North Carolina

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (1st row, 2nd from L) speaks on the first day of a two-day meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, on Aug. 31, 2026.

G20 finance meeting in North Carolina

G20 finance meeting in North Carolina

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama (C) and Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda (R) attend the first day of a two-day meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, on Aug. 31, 2026.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

A man stands in an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 31, 2026, following torrential rain the previous day.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

People stand in an inundated residential area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 31, 2026, following torrential rain the previous day.

Norway: New King Haakon VIII Greeted by Crowds on First Palace Visit

King Harald V of Norway, Europe's oldest reigning monarch, died on Friday, August 28, at the age of 89, and his son automatically succeeded him as King Haakon VIII. The new king made his first visit to the Royal Palace in Oslo later that day, where large crowds gathered to welcome him ahead of an Extraordinary Council of State formally marking the start of the reign.

US: Empire State Building Glows Pink in Tribute to Dolly Parton 3

The Empire State Building lit its tower lights in a pink sparkle on Tuesday, August 25, in tribute to country music icon Dolly Parton, who died earlier that day at age 80. The illumination ran from 9:25 to 10:25 p.m., a nod to Parton's song and film "9 to 5," and also honored her Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library children's book charity.

US: Empire State Building Glows Pink in Tribute to Dolly Parton 2

The Empire State Building lit its tower lights in a pink sparkle on Tuesday, August 25, in tribute to country music icon Dolly Parton, who died earlier that day at age 80. The illumination ran from 9:25 to 10:25 p.m., a nod to Parton's song and film "9 to 5," and also honored her Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library children's book charity.

US: Empire State Building Glows Pink in Tribute to Dolly Parton

The Empire State Building lit its tower lights in a pink sparkle on Tuesday, August 25, in tribute to country music icon Dolly Parton, who died earlier that day at age 80. The illumination ran from 9:25 to 10:25 p.m., a nod to Parton's song and film "9 to 5," and also honored her Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library children's book charity.

Ukraine's 35th Independence Day

Ukraine's 35th Independence Day

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham (L) delivers a speech at a ceremony to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence alongside Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) in Kyiv on Aug. 24, 2026.

Ukraine's 35th Independence Day

Ukraine's 35th Independence Day

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham (L) delivers a speech at a ceremony to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence alongside Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) in Kyiv on Aug. 24, 2026.

US: Severe Storms Sweep Through Parts of Maryland

Heavy rain and severe storms hit parts of Maryland Thursday, August 20, including a radar-confirmed tornado in Queen Anne's County.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi is pictured before holding a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026. Earlier in the day, Japan hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

Robot conference in Beijing

BEIJING, China, Aug. 20 Kyodo - A robot carries a box on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products. (Kyodo)

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Japanese Princess Aiko on Aug. 20, 2026, shakes hands with Dutch popular character Miffy during a ceremony marking the opening the following day of an exhibition of masterpieces by 17th-century Dutch artists, including Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Japanese Princess Aiko on Aug. 20, 2026, shakes hands with Dutch popular character Miffy during a ceremony marking the opening the following day of an exhibition of masterpieces by 17th-century Dutch artists, including Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Japanese Princess Aiko (3rd from L) on Aug. 20, 2026, poses with Dutch popular character Miffy during a ceremony marking the opening the following day of an exhibition of masterpieces by 17th-century Dutch artists, including Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Japanese Princess Aiko on Aug. 20, 2026, stands with Dutch popular character Miffy during a ceremony marking the opening the following day of an exhibition of masterpieces by 17th-century Dutch artists, including Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Japanese Princess Aiko (3rd from L) poses for a photo in front of Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring at an exhibition of masterpieces by 17th-century Dutch artists at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka on Aug. 20, 2026, a day ahead of its opening to the general public. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Japanese Princess Aiko poses for a photo in front of Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring at an exhibition of masterpieces by 17th-century Dutch artists at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka on Aug. 20, 2026, a day ahead of its opening to the general public. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Princess Aiko visits exhibition of masterpieces by Dutch artists

Japanese Princess Aiko (L) looks at Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring at an exhibition of masterpieces by 17th-century Dutch artists at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka on Aug. 20, 2026, a day ahead of its opening to the general public. (Pool photo)

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

Humanoid robots developed by Unitree Robotics fight each other on the second day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 20, 2026.